Steel fence-post.



T. W. SMITH.

Y STEEL FENCE POST. v111411.10111011111,111) sPT.25,`1913.

Patented 111011.17

minieme/Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS W. SMITH, OF DELPHOS, OHIO.

STEEL I ENCE-POST.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, THOMAS lV. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Del hos, in the county of Allen and State of hio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steel Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanyingdrawing.

his invention relates to a fence post and has for its object the production of a metallic post which is so formed as to allow a wire or mesh fence to be easily placed and held in firm engagement therewith.

Another object of this invention is the roduction of a metallic fence. post having its front face formed to constitute a binding action upon the wire or mesh whereby the key will be held in firm engagement within the rib of the post.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in general of certain constructions and arrangements of will be clearly brought out in the specification and claim.

In the accompanying is a perspective view of the complete fence. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken through the post. Fig.. 3 is a central lon'- tudinal section taken through one of t e posts. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the key.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, 1 indicates the two converging sides of the post which are connected by the front 2. This front 2 is provided with a. centrally-arranged', longitudinally-extending rib 3 which extends outwardly and is provided with a number of notches 4. The portion of this front 2 upon each side of the rib 3 is bowed so as to extend inwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 before the wire or mesh is placed in engagement with the post.

The wire as sh )wn in the accompanying drawing comprises vertical strips 5 and lontudinal strands 6 having notched portions glwhereby the strips and strands may be laced in engagement with each other and iield in osition by means of the tie wires 8. When `this wire is placed in engagement with the post, the longitudinal strands 6 will rest within the notches 4 and will be held in position by means of the key 9. This key 9 comprises an elongated body having a bent finger 10 at its upper end Specification of Letters Patent.

implication filed September 2-5, 1913.

parts as ollowiiig.

drawings, Figure Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

serial No. 791,152?.

which fits over the upper end of the rib 3 tor preventing the key i) from passing downwardly and ont from engagement with the rib 3. After this key 9 has been placed in the rib 3, it will bear upon the forward inner portion of the rib 3 and upon the strands 6 which are positioned within the notches 4. This action will cause the str ands 6 to bear firmly upon the front 2 adjacent the forward portions of the sides 1. By drawing upon this front 2, the front will assume the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 2 and as the strands 6 are firmly bound in engagement with the front 2, the key 9 will also be firmly held within the rib-3 and will thereby be prevented from accidentally moving out from the interior of the rib 3.

By carefully referring to the drawings it will be seen that when the fence is in an assembled position, the strands will each bear upon three portions of the post and key whereby the same will be revented froin'ipping and will be held in its correct position. The key 9 will bear upon the strands 6 when the same are placed within lthe notches 4, while the front 2 will bear at two different points upon each strand and will be firmly bound in engagement with the strands 6 by reason of the fact that the key 9 will draw slightlv outward upon the rib and will cause the front 2 to move fromiits normal position -indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 whereby the several parts of the fence will be firmly held in assembled position.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a simple fence post has been produced which is so formed as to give slightly7 for constituting a binding engagement with the wire fence or mesh wherebv the wire will be held 1n firm engagement with the post.

What is claimed as new is:-

A fence post of the class described comprising a plurality of converging sides, a front p ortion integrally connecting said converging sides, said front portion being of resilient construction and provided with a centrally-arranged vertically-extending rib. said rib being provided with notches adapted to receive upon the strands of a fence after the same have been placed in Said not/ches whereby said resilient front portion will be drawn slightly outward adjacent said rib for bind- 5 ing the Wire strands in engagement. with sald front portion adjacent each of said converging sides whereby said key will be held in position within said rib and the wire strands will be held in a taut position and prevented from slipping past said post. 10

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS W. SMITH. Witnesses:

J. H. SAY. ELLEN WALLACE. 

